The oryx is found in some medieval encyclopedias. The description of the beast's appearance is vague: it is the size of a goat, has a goat-like beard under its chin, and has rough hair near the head. The oryx cannot stand the cold, so in Spring when the star Canicula (the dog star) rises the oryx rejoices and seems to dance because the cold times are over.

The oryx is an African antelope or gazelle. Its head does look somewhat like that of a goat.